Page 120 of Devil's Bride

A smile almost formed on my lips. Genevieve was as startling today as she’d been the first time I’d… kissed her. Perhaps even more so. I felt a presence and bristled.

“How is Genevieve?” Emiliano asked. I’d called a meeting of the men, which we held outside the castle. The last thing I wanted was for her to overhear someone else responsible for her father’s death had been captured. There was no understanding of how she’d react.

Her calmness didn’t fool me. She was a lioness and would strike if given the opportunity.

“She’s resting. As you might imagine, unnerved,” I told him. “Stay with her, Emiliano. Keep her protected. She’s… willful.”

“You mean hardheaded,” he corrected. “You’re right. She cares about you.”

“Which bothers you.”

“Not my place to say and I know that. I only want her happy, Mr. Torres. She’s very special to me.”

He was old enough to be her father, but I still felt a twinge of jealousy. Why? Because he’d managed to get close to her, when I had no skills to do so in a way that would satisfy her needs.

“Whatever happens, make certain she and her family stay safe.”

I could feel his eyes on me, but he remained silent.

“She’s special to me as well. Go to her. You’re in charge of her protection.”

“Yes, sir.” He walked away, but I could tell he had more to say. Now wasn’t the time. He’d called me sir, as if he believed I deserved the respect.

Sir. I wasn’t certain I was owed the nod of respect at this point. I’d almost gotten her killed.

As Navarro walked closer, I could tell he was eyeing Emiliano entirely differently than he’d done before. He waited until Genevieve’s bodyguard was out of range before finishing his approach.

“What is it?” I asked and headed for one of the specially designed utility trucks used for off-road situations.

“We have a mole.”

“That much I’ve concluded. I need a list of everyone who knew the name of the hotel in Madrid.”

“I’ll get that for you and shouldn’t take long. Emiliano is on it.”

I took a deep breath before tossing the duffle bags I’d stuffed earlier into the backseat. “What are you insinuating, that Emiliano is our leak?”

“Think about it. You know Genevieve told him every detail. She trusts him.”

“Perhaps, but why bother waiting to destroy her until she arrived back home?” I threw Emiliano a look before he walked inside, finding it interesting he’d done the same thing to me. He’d stopped just before opening the door.

“What good would it have done killing her in New York? I’m not saying he’s working alone, but he has more knowledge about the family operations than almost anyone since she’s placed her trust in him. There’s something about him that’s off. I don’t like it.”

“Right now, I don’t want accusations made. However, finding the mole is as important as hunting and killing Fassi and Hamza Bata.”

Navarro nodded several times. “Understood. I’m just suggesting you talk to your woman about keeping her mouth shut.”

There was no real reason for his words to strike a negative chord, but they did. I was in his face in a flash, barely resisting wrapping my hand around his throat. “She is my wife, Navarro. I suggest you keep that in mind. As such, she deserves the same respect that I demand. Am I clear?” At least I’d managed to keep my voice down.

He appeared both startled and angry but lowered his head. “I meant no disrespect, but she’s not used to our way of life any longer. You said so yourself.”

“No, she is not, but she can hold her own and outsmarts most of our soldiers. I suggest you keep that in mind.”

“Yes, sir.” His eyes flashed, which caused me to turn around. Genevieve was heading toward me with purpose in her step.

Emiliano was following, but I waved him off. This wasn’t his battle to fight. At least not now.

“Get the men ready to leave. I need answers and the fucker you caged will provide them one way or another.”

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